After three consecutive losing seasons, Woodland-Stockbridge coach Scott Schmitt said he feels like things can be a little different in 2013.

“We feel real good moving forward,” Schmitt said. “The boys have worked real hard in the offseason and we are looking forward to a successful season.”

The Wolfpack are returning eight key players on offense, including senior quarterback Taylor Poff, who threw for 1,500 yards last season, and just as many on defense, including safeties Damon Young and Malik Wallace.

“Taylor is a three-year starter and we expect him to have another good year throwing the football,” Schmitt said.

Last season as a result of youth, Woodland recorded its second straight 2-8 campaign.

“Last year, we were pretty young all the way across the board,” Schmitt said. “We played over 20 different kids on defense. Offensively, we averaged 21 points a game but we just gave up a little more than 21 points.”

But outside of that, the 2012 season is over and done.

“It doesn’t matter who you beat or lost to last year,” Schmitt said. “In this region and classification, you’ve got to be ready to play every Friday night.

“Everybody is a serious contender and you’ve got to get your guys to know and realize that. You have to respect everybody in this region and prepare yourself for it.”

So far, the Wolfpack’s four sub-region 4A-AAAA games are at Locust Grove and Stockbridge, and home against Eagle’s Landing and Dutchtown.

This will be Schmitt’s seventh season at the helm and if this season is going to be a success, he realizes he can only do so much from the sidelines.

“We’ve had some good seasons and some mediocre seasons,” Schmitt said. “I think at the end of the day it’s going to depend on the players.

“How they will respond to adversity. How they will respond to winning. How they will respond to situations that are dealt to them in the game. The maturity level of their mindset will speak volumes to how our team is and how far it goes.”

*We welcome your comments on the stories and issues of the day and seek to provide a forum for the community to voice opinions. All comments are subject to moderator approval before being made visible on the website but are not edited. The use of profanity, obscene and vulgar language, hate speech, and racial slurs is strictly prohibited. Advertisements, promotions, spam, and links to outside websites will also be rejected. Please read our terms of service for full guides